Britain is losing its appeal as a winter feeding station for migrating birds, with significant declines in at least eight species of wetland birds. Global warming is thought to be responsible.

The trend was identified by the State of the UKâ€™s Birds 2006, a report by conservation organisations as part of a wetland bird survey project.

Mallard ducks, dunlin and ringed plovers traditionally fly hundreds or thousands of miles to reach Britain for the winter. They set off from their spring and summer breeding grounds in regions such as Greenland, Siberia and Canada in search of a milder climate. But some no longer fly so far because they can get what they need elsewhere on their route.

The biggest decline, of two thirds, is among European white-fronted geese. They are showing a preference for the Baltic and the Netherlands. Mallard numbers have fallen by a third.

Others staying abroad are shelducks, which have fallen in number by 20 per cent, pochards by 23 per cent, dunlin 15 per cent, ringed plover 14 per cent and turnstones 13 per cent. Dr Mark Avery, of the RSPB, said: â€œThe precise reasons for the decline of each species vary, but a common theme appears to be climate change.â€

The report is published today as part of the Wetland Bird Survey, which is carried out by the British Trust for Ornithology, the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and other conservation groups.